difam, I read the link that you suggested and the comment below it. Personally I would not feel confident in trying to explain to Microsoft that I have ripped apart my laptop and that I am going to use some of the parts and sell others on ebay so please can I re-use my oem licence.

I have done that with retail licences that I have purchased, but would not try it with an oem license.

The article I posted was not the only comment I have come across where the writer had been successful in obtaining a key, particularly when just transferring it to another pc and if it is for use on only one pc. Obviously it is at the discretion of whoever you speak to at Microsoft but it has been done.

The comments made by you in respect of ripping a laptop apart etc don't apply to the poster of this post.

Hi,
I would like to reuse the key ,being an honest prison ,I wouldn't feel happy supplying Microsoft with inaccurate information .
It's a shame you can't reuse an oem key,I bought the laptop/ key ,a quick honest phone call should be all thats required .
Never mind
Thank again for all the help

If you call Microsoft and ask them if you can transfer an OEM license they will either refer you to their website or they will simply say no.

What those people on the site linked to by difarn have done is to do the installation and then try to see if they can activate it. Some say that it has activated automatically or if not then they are given a phone number to call to speak to an activation rep. It is then that they have to explain what changes they have made to their system (and as far as I can tell none of them have done it with a laptop) and after that they have had their license activated.